At confession, my priest told me that masturbating was keeping me from eternal life in heaven. (That seemed odd — I thought masturbating was heaven!) I tried to stop for almost two weeks. On the next confessional visit, I told the priest that I had stopped and then was almost guaranteed that my place in heaven was reserved. I started to ponder how this could be true — so after 3 weeks, I started again. For more than 30 years, I have never again given it up and I don't feel guilty. I only wish that Father knew the joys of it. Maybe he did!
- age 52, California
This Week's Wackiest Response:
I tried to quit ... the patch didn't work — I rubbed it off. Gum didn't help and I ended up petting the dog until its fur was gone. I just went back to masturbating instead.
- age 46, New York
I tried to quit when I was about 13 — first, cold turkey for about three days, and then I hit upon the idea of masturbating to within two or three strokes of orgasm and stopping. I actually managed to do it for about a week. Then nature took over and I went back to the real, uninterrupted thing. When I told a friend about this as an adult, he said, "Three? I tried to get to within one stroke before I would quit." But his method didn't last, either. As to what it was like when I finally gave in, I felt like I was myself again.
- age 39, Texas
I tried to quit many times up until the age of 18. I was on a school trip for 10 days, and thought it would be a good opportunity to give up masturbation, because I wouldn't have the privacy to do it. When I got home from the trip, I had been home for perhaps an hour and I just couldn't hold back anymore. When I lay down on my bed and touched my penis, the sensation was incredible and I had an amazing orgasm. Shortly thereafter, I found JackinWorld. I realized that masturbation was okay. I never felt guilty after that and have been enjoying it ever since.
- age 23, Canada
I just recently tried to quit for one week. Every time I would masturbate before the week was up, I would start over and add another day. Well, I started over some 3 times, but eventually, I got to my goal. It was so hard (the week, that is)! All week, I was so horny. It was self-control, but when I finally could masturbate again, the orgasm was terrific. I should try it again sometime. The results are well worth it.
- age 14, New Jersey
About 10 years ago, I tried to quit masturbating and did not masturbate for 6 weeks. It was not easy for me, because my body was so used to masturbating every night; therefore, I had erections every night as I lay there wide-awake. Finally I gave up, and said to myself, "Let's start masturbating again. I can't handle this anymore!" So, I went to work, and had an incredible orgasm. Since then, I masturbate almost every night before I go to bed.
- age 30, Wisconsin
What? Are you crazy? I wouldn't even consider stopping. I've been masturbating since I was 12.
- age 38, Canada
I don't really quit; I just forget to masturbate. I remember one time I went without masturbation for 3 weeks until I was sitting in bed and thinking, "Why do I feel so horny?" Then I was like, "Oh, yeah," and I had the best two-hour, stop-and-go session I have ever had!
- age 14, Iowa
As a kid, I would play around with a stuffed animal that was about my size. Although nothing serious, it was still definitely sexual in nature. At age 12 or 13, my conscience sprang forth and suddenly I felt guilty about everything. I confessed everything I had done to my parents, and decided I would no longer allow myself that pleasure. (Who knew they would say it was perfectly normal?) For whatever reason, I then saw it as dirty, something I could not enjoy if I wanted to remain a good person. This went on for several years; I wouldn't even lie on my stomach for fear of feeling good! Finally, temptation grew until it hurt and I allowed myself to fool around a little, which led me to my first true orgasm and after which, I realized the feelings of guilt had disappeared.
- age 21, Connecticut
I went without masturbating for 3 or 4 weeks. After that, I just got tired of not doing it, so I started masturbating again. When I first did it after those 3 weeks, it felt like I was starting over — it hurt a little. Now, I can go a week without doing it.
- age 13, Nebraska
Masturbation is the last secret pleasure my doctors have left me. They told me cigarettes would kill me, so I gave them up. They told me vodka martinis would kill me, so I gave them up, too. They told me bacon cheeseburgers and hot fudge sundaes would kill me, so likewise, I gave them up. I admit that at times in my early teens, I thought I might set myself on fire with all the friction I was applying to my penis. But I never heard of masturbation killing anybody, and since first discovering how to do it around age 12 1/2, I've never even thought of quitting.
- age 61, New York
When I was 17, I thought I would give up masturbation to please Jesus. Well, this continued for about 4 months, during which I had two wet dreams. With each wet dream, I felt more guilt because I thought I wasn't praying enough and that must be the reason for my wet dreams. Then one night as I lay in bed, I said to myself, "I can't take it anymore!" So I masturbated like I never had before. It was great and I've continued to masturbate ever since.
- age 18, New Mexico
When I started ejaculating, I couldn't keep myself from masturbating — I felt out of control. The word around the locker room was that masturbation was bad; so I decided to stop masturbating for my New Year's resolution, wisely keeping the resolution to myself. I was fine for the first two weeks or so, but then I started noticing that I was horny all the time. I knew that girls noticed erections (a female friend had once pointed out a guy who had one) so I feared that, too. I think it was the third week that I finally gave in and started masturbating again. I'm glad I broke that resolution. My orgasm felt great — stronger than it had ever been. Even now, I sometimes abstain for a few days to have a stronger, more intense orgasm.
- age 16, Maine
I started masturbating when I was 13, soon after having my first wet dream. From then on, I did it every day until I was about 16 when I started trying to cut back. I once stopped for a whole month; other times, I would stop for two or three weeks. I was often able to quit for a while if I was on a trip or at camp. During these times I would gradually get more tense and irritable until I realized that masturbating is beneficial to my well-being. I was never into porn or anything kinky — I just benefited from the release. Sometimes, I still do.
- age 40, Texas
I didn't exactly try to *quit* masturbating, but I tried to see how long I could go without doing it. At first, it was okay, but then it just got harder and harder to resist. I submitted after a few days. An erection isn't the easiest thing to hide when you're walking all around your school every day; so I just started again. And wow, did it feel great!
- age 13, Maine
The longest I have gone without masturbating since I started is 4 days. I did this purposely — both as a test and so that the next time I masturbated it would be better than anything I had felt before. I would come to regret that decision. When the 4th day came, I had an erection for over 5 hours. My testicles throbbed and hurt. When I finally gave in that night, the orgasm didn't even feel good; it just hurt. Now, the longest I ever go without masturbating is two days.
- age 18, Illinois
The summer after junior year in high school, I went to a summer camp at a university. I stayed up so late the first night that I fell asleep without masturbating — the first night I had missed in almost five years. I decided to see what it would be like to miss several nights in a row. It was awful! I began to see sex organs in wallpaper. I lasted 5 or 7 days. The first time back took but a few seconds and wasn't very exciting, but the next time was fabulous.
- age 49, Colorado
Recently, I went on a 4-day trip to Texas, and I tried not to masturbate as long as possible from the beginning of the trip. I intended abstain even after I got back just to see whether I would have a wet dream, but when I got back, I really needed to "release." When I am that horny, I unconsciously come up with every excuse on the planet to masturbate. Everything I could think of was a self-fulfilling prophecy justifying masturbation! I decided just to play with it through my pants because normally I couldn't go all the way with that, but this time, I did. It was a little messy, but still, quite an experience.
- age 16, Arkansas
When I was about 15, I concluded that masturbating was making my penis more and more sensitive to stimulation so that I had an erection for most of every day. I was masturbating 3 or 4 times per day. So I gave it up completely for almost 6 months. I remember that during this time I was always so close to orgasm that even the feel of my duvet against my penis was almost enough to trigger an ejaculation. I eventually gave in as I was getting into a warm bath, having just looked at some pornography with my friend, who was in the bathroom at the time. I think that the pornography, along with him seeing my penis erect for the first time and the feeling of warm water on my genitals combined to give me an absolutely massive ejaculation into the bath water. Neither of us could quite believe how much semen came out in a single ejaculation. After that, I went back to masturbating every day, but tried to restrict myself to just once a day.
- age 44, United Kingdom
I have never tried to quit. I think it is quite normal for me to do it and that it is not a sin (at least, not a mortal sin). I love to masturbate and don't plan to quit anytime soon.
- age 15, California
I have tried to quit so many times before, especially during my teen years. The longest I went without was 3 weeks when I was 14, because I had just been circumcised and was afraid I would break the sutures (actually, I did break a couple, ones that had not dissolved yet). Those three weeks were very difficult — I felt fullness in my pelvic area and continually thought about masturbating just to be done with it. So when I finally decided that three weeks was too long for my agony, I gave in and what a relief it gave me! I can still remember (I'm 34 now) the feeling I had at the first orgasm with its big load of semen. Then I felt guilty again because I had broken those two sutures, but I got over that, too.
- age 34, Illinois
Are you kidding? Give up masturbating? No way! Started at 12 and 49 years later, married and with grown kids, I am still at it. The "best things in life are free" — masturbating and feeling that orgasm are the best. I guess practice makes perfect, because at my age, I can still produce a sizable load that shoots a good distance. I hope my sons are enjoying these pleasures; someday, I may ask them. They might be surprised to learn that dear old dad is still "pumping for gold" in his golden years! And you younger dudes should know that your dad is probably still pumping away, too.
- age 61, Oregon
I have tried to quit masturbating, but only so that I could have a "wet dream," which I still have never experienced. I hadn't masturbated for ten days and I was lying in bed naked, trying to get to sleep. Four hours later, I was still awake and decided I would just sort of stroke it for a few seconds and then stop... Yeah, right! After only three-and-a-half strokes, I ejaculated all over the place. I've tried many other times to try to get a wet dream, but have discovered it's just not worth it.
- age 15, Florida
In my early 30s, I tried to see how long I could abstain from masturbation, more from curiosity than feeling guilty. I lasted over two months, during which I never had a "wet dream" — possibly because my body was so used to regular masturbation that it needed considerable time to revert to "automatic release" mode. Meanwhile, I developed excruciating pain in my testes and throughout my groin. What's more, I became increasingly irritable, lost sleep, and was obsessed with sexual thoughts. When I started seeing penises on the wallpaper in my dreams, I realized that curiosity isn't necessarily a good thing, as some cats have also learned. When I finally masturbated, I experienced a non-stop, far-shooting ejaculation for what seemed like an eternity. I showered, went to bed naked (as I always do during the summer), awoke with a raging erection the next morning, and had no further desire to indulge my curiosity. Yes, I masturbated immediately before leaving my bed.
- age 62, Michigan
I did try to quit once in high school. I wanted to find out how long I could go without masturbating. Only one friend (with whom I had engaged in mutual masturbation) knew I was "quitting." After about four days, I had become so irritable, he told me to start again. It worked wonders for my attitude and mood — and I've been pretty happy since. That remains the only time I was dumb enough to refrain from masturbation when an injury wasn't involved.
- age 30, Washington
I never have tried to quit. Why should I give up something that brings me pleasure? I go to school all day, and then I go to work. I work hard and there should be something that I do to bring a smile to my face.
- age 15, New Hampshire
After the talk with my dad (at age 11), I understood that, despite what other kids said, masturbating was okay and to be indulged as often as I wanted — as long as it was done in private and I cleaned up after myself. So it never occurred to me to feel guilty or try to stop; I was doing it too much. Sometimes, I reduced my daily frequency, but that was due either to soreness, or my doing it out of boredom and not because I was really horny.
- age 22, California
I tried once to stop masturbating. I was able to control myself for 3 weeks. I would feel the urge several times a day (I usually masturbate three to five times a week) and I finally gave in on a business trip — I had a bedroom to myself and there was a view of some magnificent gardens from my 4th-floor room window, which let in some magnificent glowing light, because it was snowing. I shut off the lights in my room and spent about 30 minutes nude and playing with myself, until I finally ejaculated so hard that all 3 weeks of abstinence seemed worth it. However, I have not tried to stop myself since then.
- age 21, Florida
I once tried to quit masturbating when I was in 6th grade, thinking that I was addicted (I hadn't yet found JackinWorld). I quit during Lent and then afterward, for a total of 6 weeks! My grades started to drop rapidly and I felt too stressed to do my homework, although I saw no relationship. I finally decided that I had too much sexual tension, and went for it. Actually, I had a really lousy orgasm, and thought of quitting altogether. But I tried again, and it felt somewhat better. My grades shot up, and I got honors in school. I'm glad I didn't quit, or I might be repeating seventh grade!
- age 13, Texas
When my girlfriend and I moved in together last year, I tried to give up masturbating; after all, sex was then on tap. But I found that you can't beat a good old masturbation session on your own. You don't have to worry about her, or time anything — all you care about is your own pleasure. I tried mutual masturbation with her and masturbating ourselves while together, but it would always lead to sex, so I lasted only about 6 months. We are back to having sex every night or at least every other night; however, I rise earlier in the morning, usually with glory. So, I pleasure myself most mornings, as well.
- age 27, Australia
Over the years, I've tried to quit masturbating a number of times — but not anymore! I think the longest I've gone without has been no more than several months. Initially, the first couple of days are the most difficult. Then, it gets easier and easier with each passing day. And when I finally would give in, it was wonderful to savor once again the wonderful sensations that we all know and want.
- age 49, California
I've never really tried to quit, but since I don't really like to masturbate, I do it only occasionally. When I start again, I keep on it for some days, but then I quit for another long period of time. Therefore, it can be months between the "masturb-periods."
- age 16, Sweden
Once when I was 13, I stopped masturbating because my priest said I should abstain from it long enough for God to tell me whether or not He approved. It was kind of like a religious fast. My prayers were answered 9 difficult days later when I had a vivid "wet dream" that I masturbated in the shower. This dream didn't end right after release as my wet dreams usually did. Instead, I got out of the shower, and Jesus was standing there smiling. He handed me a towel and hugged me. It was beautiful. Today, I am a youth pastor who openly encourages masturbation.
- age 36, Arizona
My friend told me that if you masturbate, it lowers your sperm count (ha!). So, I tried to quit, but after three-and-a-half hours or so, I decided that pleasure was more important than children; so I indulged.
- age 15, France
I used to try to quit masturbating when I was a teenager because I thought it was evil, but it never lasted long. I tried to quit at the start of my college career because I thought it would be disrespectful to my roommate. However, a young woman I got into a fling with persuaded me to start masturbating again. Altogether, I abstained for about two weeks before taking her advice. When I started masturbating again, it felt so relieving!
- age 22, Pennsylvania
When I was around 13, I tried to stop masturbating when lots of other girls told me that they thought it was dirty, disgusting, and un-ladylike. Naturally, I was influenced and so I tried to stop, thinking that it was unhealthy. As a girl, it was easier for me to stop for a long time than if I were a guy, but in the end, if you've masturbated even once, then you have to do it again because you miss it so much. I went two whole months without doing it, and it made me feel really distracted. I couldn't stop thinking about controlling my urges, which just made me think about them even more. When I finally gave in, it was such a relief; I had the longest masturbation session of my life that ended with easily the biggest orgasm I've ever had.
- age 15, Texas (female)
When I was 16, I decided to quit masturbating. It wasn't for moral reasons or anything like that — I just missed having "wet dreams" and wanted to see if I could have one for old times' sake by adopting a hands-off policy for a while. It didn't work. On day 17, I was lying naked and horny on my bed with a hard-on that wouldn't go away. "I'll just touch it," I thought. Then, "I'll just hold it for a minute." Then, "I'll just caress it a little." Bad move — in what seemed like 10 seconds, I had semen all over my chest and belly. Since the game was up, I went at it again a half-hour later, slowing the pace this time to prolong the pleasure, and ending with another big ejaculation. The weird thing was that I did have a wet dream later that night — very wet in spite of everything. I guess that's what pent-up desire and backed-up semen will do for a teenage boy.
- age 37, Ohio
I tried to give up masturbation for Lent. I'm not religious or anything, but I wanted to prove that I have some willpower and for 40 days, could give up something I enjoyed. I completed the 40 days, but not without difficulties. I didn't realize how useful masturbation is in relaxing and getting to sleep until it wasn't an option.
- age 41, Scotland (female)
Once I went to a camp that all 6th graders went to, called "6th-grade camp." I promised myself that I would try to go the entire week without masturbating. In the middle of the night, I couldn't take it any more, so I gave up and went into the bathroom to masturbate. When I came out, everyone was looking at me and they knew what I had just done. Well... at least I slept better than all of them!
- age 14, Missouri
I have never tried to quit masturbating, although at times, I hold off due to inappropriate circumstances or just wanting to wait for a better time. Every morning, I wake with a firm erection, but unless I have sex with my partner, I usually wait to masturbate because mornings aren't my best time. Instead, I just play with myself and think of how much better it will be later on. But quit? No way! I've been getting erections and enjoying my penis ever since I was so young that my mom would dry me off after my bath — just getting my body rubbed would give me an erection. Even though I didn't know what it was all about, she told me it was okay and natural, and I knew I liked the way it felt. So whenever I was alone and became erect, I would play with it. I haven't stopped since, and am not about to! (Even so, I soon discovered that I prefer not to be alone!)
- age 47, Illinois
When I was younger, I thought I was just "tickling my penis." Eventually, I learned that I was masturbating and I thought it was just horrible. I thought that I'd have to stop or I'd die. I planned that I would do it only three times a week, then two, then one, then none. I was sure my plan would work. I felt so horrible, yet I really needed to masturbate. Eventually I gave in — some three days later — not very long at all. By the way, it felt great when I went back to it. Eventually I found JackinWorld and now I would never think of quitting.
- age 15, Florida
I once went for about three months without masturbating. It made me feel more energized. In the mornings, I felt very rested, had more energy throughout the day, and I was also more focused. When I gave in, it felt great! The pleasure was tremendous and I recommend that any of you who have never gone for a long time without masturbating should try it. The orgasm is amazing and in the interim, you build up an incredible amount of energy. Enjoy and live well.
- age 21, Ohio
I went for about a week without even touching my wankster. On the day that I finally did it, that thing was loaded and it was worth the wait. I say that if you're searching for a nice, loaded orgasm, wait for a week.
- age 16, Texas
A very painful bladder infection made it impossible for me to enjoy any form of sexual pleasure for some two weeks last year. To top it off, the antibiotics made me feel miserable. Even after the infection had cleared and the antibiotics had worn off, I had absolutely no desire to masturbate for some three weeks afterward. The situation didn't make me feel any different, really. Then, one Saturday after spending the entire day at a nude beach sitting next to an Adonis with a beautiful penis that was either partially or fully erect the whole time, I got home, jumped in the shower and masturbated. I had an explosive orgasm that lasted for about 5 minutes. It was so intense that I had to sit on floor from fear of collapsing.
- age 36, Texas
Recently, I abstained for one week — April 24 to May 1 — for religious reasons: May 1 is Beltane, when the God and Goddess consummate Their Handfasting, and it is a time for exploring sexuality and sensuality. In honor of the occasion, I went for one week without an orgasm. To be honest, the last few days nearly drove me mad, especially because I was writing a "mature" scene for a story I'm working on. However, I was finally able to relieve all that tension and it was wonderful — just wonderful. Next time I'm going to try to go from Samhain (October 31) to Yule (winter solstice), which is 6 weeks. That will be a test of will if ever there was one.
- age 19, Ontario, Canada
I haven't tried to quit for more than 40 years because I decided it wasn't worth it. Before that I tried quitting because I thought that being married should take care of my needs for sexual release. The longest I went without masturbating was about 3 weeks and much of that time, I felt frustrated because of the tension that had built up between the times we were able to have intercourse as a couple. It was a real relief when I concluded that I needed release more often than could be provided through intercourse and that it was okay for me to take care of my needs alone.
- age 72, Texas
I was 18 when I went on a summer-long mission trip with my church group. I had decided that I would use the trip as an opportunity to stop masturbating because I thought it was a sin. I went 7 weeks without masturbating — quite impressive for a person who had had a four-times-a-day habit since age 11. However, one night I couldn't stand it any more. I was constantly thinking about sex. I had an erection most of the time. I only lightly rubbed the underside of my penis three times with my right index finger and my semen just began to flow out so much that I drenched my sleeping bag. After that, I figured that it was stupid to give up something that is so good. I still masturbate at least once, and often two or three times per day, and I hope that I will never have to suffer 7 weeks of inaction again!
- age 24, Indiana